windsurfer8

I would apply to 30 different schools and go to the cheapest one you can find. I have been an RN over 20 years. Never once has anyone asked me where I went to college. Don't fall for the "you were lucky to get in" These schools need you more than you need them. You must already have a bachelors in something else since you are applying to ABSN. If you already have student debt this could become a nightmare. Nursing is brutal. It pays well, but it is very hard work. A lot of people quit and never go back after a year. I did bachelors, but that is because the military required it. if I hadn't gone in the military I would have gone ADN and start making money. Good luck whatever you do.

You have a ton of experience and an active license, I think it more what they can offer you. I wouldn't take a job unless it is the hours you want and the unit where you want to work. You have the power. There are new grads hired every day with zero experience. Unless you had some issue with your license or got fired from your last job I do not see how you would not get a job. You are already highly marketable.

3.1 is a good GPA. Contact schools where you want to attend and have them provide guidance. For the most part a B and above is totally fine. These schools need students (and the tuition they pay). Don't buy into "oh you are so lucky to get in". You are the paying student. They don't exist without students and they will be lucky to have you enrolled. Good luck.

I was an Army nurse and retired in 2022 after 22 years. I started working part time civilian in ER and it was OK. but I decided I wanted away from nursing. I have a good retirement so I don't really need to make much. I just like to stay a little busy and social as I am single no kids. I started working at a federal wildlife refuge like 20 hours a week. I love it. I am in nature and just helping with whatever. Not really a job to make money and I get my medical through my military retirement. I do agree though that getting totally away from nursing is really really nice. I guess it depends on your situation.

I was Army RN retired a couple years ago after 20. Not sure how the AF does it exactly, but more than likely you come in as a 2LT (O1). Maybe they will give you some credit and make you an O2. You can Google the current military pay chart for 2025. 2026 is up also. O1 w/ less than 2 years is probably where you are. Army training like BOLC was not with family. You will be away from them. That is part of the gig. I deployed multiple times alone. Usually around a year, but deployment lengths vary. All those other degrees don't mean much. You HAVE to have your BSN. Period. Also get good grades. They will see your transcripts. I knew some people who got their NP. They didn't get "time off". They worked and then did school in their free time. AF who knows. By "benefits" do you mean health insurance? Yes they would get tricare if you are active. As far as getting in shape. Probably best to talk to a recruiter. Have you talked to a recruiter? Anything said here needs to be checked with a recruiter. Things have changed in last 20 years. Good luck.

Completely wrong. The OP has no way to verify whether a poster on this board is either a nurse or nursing student. This is lazy and also worthless data. If presenting that as having interviewed an RN that is a total misrepresentation. If you qualify that you your will present what you were told. but you have no clue whether they are who they present themselves then that would be moving toward accurate.

Contact a healthcare recruiter. I was active Army RN in the military for 20 years. Things change fast as far as getting in. Recruiters have the most up to date information. People on here can tell their own stories, but there is no way to say if you can get in. I do know during war things change even more as far as needs of the military. Peace time Army and war time Army are different. Pretty much a peace time situation now so that can affect it also. Good luck.

I was Army RN for 20 years. Retired a couple years ago. Have you talked to an Army healthcare recruiter? They are not regular recruiters. They will start the process. There is a health screening and you will fill out and eventually go to MEPs as well. A lot of requirements change and also they have waivers for certain conditions. The only people who can give you accurate information are health care recruiters. What alleviates "worry" is to get real information and answers. If some random person says "yes" or "no" it means nothing. The recruiters have the updated and accurate information.

"I feel like so much is expected of me". Yes. A lot is expected of you. That is the job. There is a reason RNs get paid well. If you don't want to do it then quit. You are free to do what you want.

Only thing I would add is inpatient psych isn't like a therapy session. I have people who think I am just talking to sad people or whatever. Often they are psychotic. Throwing stuff, screaming, hitting themselves, hitting staff. Trying to find a way to hurt themselves. Occasionally there is some time for just talking to patients, but not much. I was military ICU/ER nurse and after I retired from military I started intermittent PRN psych. Never really been "scared' as a nurse until this job a few times, but it can be pretty scary. One dude tried to strangle me and another punched me in the face and I had two black eyes. I am only working like usually 12-20 hours a week and even that wears me out.

This isn't a free speech issue. Anyone can Why accuse a nursing board of being "overly strict" when they haven't even said a word about it? It doesn't "illustrate" anything as they haven't even done anything. If a board does something someone doesn't agree with does that automatically makes them "overly strict"? What does that even mean? Good luck arguing "overly strict" if hemmed up by a nursing board. "As a medical professional" may infer the poster is qualified to prescribe. The poster claims to be an RN. RNs lane is not telling people what medication they should be prescribed. Because someone thinks something is a "casual comment" doesn't mean it will be perceived that way by others.

So do you want to actually learn anything or just get a BSN?

If you want to be an RN then you figure it out and make it happen. If you are studying 20 hours a week make it 40. Grades are snapshots. They tell you what is working and what isn't. It is all up to you.

Can you afford to not work? I worked part time in college. I knew a few people who worked full time. If working full time prevents the need for student loans then if you can do it I would. Being debt free is amazing and you will be shocked at how much money you can save not making payments. Also debt free is freedom. You don't have to take a horrible job just to make payments. However only you know yourself. Good luck!

I would start applying for other jobs or plan to stay where you are. VA is cutting big time. And new employees/probationary employees getting let go first. And even if you do start working at the VA I would stay on good terms with your current employer because you might be looking for a job at any second.

I would take It one step at a time. If you want to get NP that is fine, but put that away for a while and just focus on BSN. I would contact schools you would like to attend and talk with them. More than likely you have most of he pre reqs done already for a second bachelors in nursing. ABSN programs are super intense. Like 21 hours a semester. So just focus on getting accepted and doing well on BSN and the rest will be available in the future.

Just make sure you don't put "Reserves" on anything It is the Reserve. Not plural. I was always active, but I knew a Colonel who would flip on people who called it "reserves". The little things matter. Enlisted (as you know. I was an E before O also) also see and hear everything we do. Good luck.

Army it would be O2E. Only people I ever saw come in at O3 were new MD or DNPs. MDs w/ experience sometimes direct in at O4 or O5. In like 2007 I met a nurse who came it at O3 with 10 years experience and her DNP. The standard way was O1 BSN, O2 MSN, O3 DNP. That is all Army though. I never paid attention to what the Navy does.

You can change if you want so it isn't that big of a deal to pick a certain area. Try what you think you might like. If you don't apply for a job doing something else.

Make a decision and go with it. Better to be doing it than sitting around thinking about it. Everything has good and bad.

Can you show us that plan? I haven't seen it. There are a lot of lobbyists for private health care who want those federal dollars. Put a link to that plan.

I wouldn't leave a job for a non existent job. I doubt the VA will exist even close to its current form in 4 years. I would make sure you have a job before quitting. Like I would work the first job on Monday and start the new job on Tuesday. Anything federal is on very shaky ground right now.

I just retired from the Army Nurse Corps a few years ago. 100% RE4 is a no go, but you could always call a recruiter. I never saw an RE4 get in. However..I guess anything is possible.

"honesty and accountability of the private sector". This is a joke right? If you think private is better then don't complain about it just quit and go do it.

Then quit if you want to quit. The world moves on. Not sure if you are looking for validation? Yes people have different perspectives and beliefs. Politics at work (which I consider school work) I would never ever discuss.